The Hamptons Doc Fest, now in its 19th year, was founded by filmmakers to champion and celebrate the rich, diverse, and eclectic world of documentary film. Hamptons Doc Fest is the only all-documentary film festival on the East End of Long Island. Our mission is to bring the work of talented documentary filmmakers to new and loyal audiences.
Hamptons Doc Fest is an annual multi-day festival that welcomes filmmakers and documentary film lovers to the historic village of Sag Harbor, NY for screenings, discussions, panels, awards, and celebrations. In this intimate, walkable setting, festival-goers enjoy the local area’s unique shops, restaurants, inns, museums, and parks and can take in the water views on Long Wharf and the Windmill aglow in holiday lights before entering Bay Street Theater. From there the newly renovated Sag Harbor Cinema, with its state-of-the-art projection and sound capabilities, is a short walk away.
Hamptons Doc Fest screens approximately 30 films including features and shorts. The festival runs for seven days in early December. For 2026, the festival begins on December 3 and ends on December 10.The festival is vibrant with the latest in documentary filmmaking and is positioned to be a must-stop at the end of the festival circuit.
Hamptons Doc Fest highlights include:
- The Pennebaker Career Achievement Award and Gala, which celebrates a visionary in the world of documentary film each year. Past honorees include Michael Moore, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, Sheila Nevins, Susan Lacy, Alan Berliner, and Liz Garbus.
- Saturday and Sunday mornings feature HDF's "Shorts and Breakfast Bites" programs, devoted to showcasing documentary shorts under 40 minutes.
- Young Voices program for local middle and high schools, which includes a film screening, filmmaking workshop, and tour of LTV Studios.
Year-Round Programming:
DOCS EQUINOX - a 3-day festival in April that focuses on an environmental theme, in honor of Earth Week.
FILMARTS+FORUM - a 12-month outreach program that screens select films at cultural institutions, art museums, and community centers.
Hamptons Doc Fest presents awards in the following categories:
- Audience Award to the feature receiving the highest votes from audience ballots;
- Human Rights Award to a film that celebrates courage in the face of social injustice;
- Art & Inspiration Award to a film that embraces the vibrancy and experimentation of an artist;
- Environmental Award to a film recognizing an important environmental concern;
- Breakthrough Director Award to a first-time filmmaker;
- Impact Award to a film highlighting a critical issue.
